(See also Overview of Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders Overview of Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders The swallowing apparatus consists of the pharynx, upper esophageal (cricopharyngeal) sphincter, the body of the esophagus, and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The upper third of the esophagus... read more .)
The vascular abnormality is usually an aberrant right subclavian artery arising from the left side of the aortic arch, a double aortic arch, or a right aortic arch with left ligamentum arteriosum (1 Reference Dysphagia lusoria is caused by compression of the esophagus from any of several congenital vascular abnormalities. (See also Overview of Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders.) The vascular abnormality... read more ). The dysphagia Dysphagia Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. The condition results from impeded transport of liquids, solids, or both from the pharynx to the stomach. Dysphagia should not be confused with globus sensation... read more may develop in childhood or later in life as a result of arteriosclerotic changes in the aberrant vessel.
Barium swallow shows the extrinsic compression, but arteriography is necessary for absolute diagnosis.
Most patients require no treatment, but surgical repair is sometimes done after careful weighing of risks and benefits.
Reference
1. Janssen M, Baggen MG, Veen HF, et al: Dysphagia lusoria: clinical aspects, manometric findings, diagnosis, and therapy. Am J Gastroenterol 95(6):1411-1416, 2000. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.02071.x